A kayak sail allows kayakers to catch the wind and drift along, instead of spending all their energy paddling. A top rated kayak sail kit is a great addition to your kayak accessories. Kayak sails have a variety of sizes, shapes, styles, and designs available for purchase. However, it can be hard to choose just one. There are all types of kayaks and each may have a different design.

Instead of choosing a sailing kayak that comes with a sail installed, we have provided our top picks for the best kayak sail, so that you can easily attach it to your already purchased kayak.

Mirage Kayak Sail Kit by Hobie

This kayak sail kit works on all Mirage Kayak models. The unique system uses the MirageDriveTM to have you steering with your fingertips and pedaling with your feet as you control the mainsheet. With little effort, you can be cruising along like a bigger sailboat. The sail breaks down so it can be stowed inside the kayak. Stretch cords hold it in place and it can be quickly raised and lowered while on the water. It has a two-piece mast. Kayak sail reviews state this kit is a “great buy” and “lots of fun”.

What Makes This Kayak Sail Stand Out

Unique system

Two-piece mast

Easily breaks down

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MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Weight: 5 pounds

2

EDITORS CHOICE

Scout Sail by WindPaddle Sails

This is the best kayak sail for beginners. This is an entry-level kayak sail that can be used in low to medium winds. It is lightweight and forgiving, which is great for solo kayakers. It was built with a casual recreational use in mind.

This sail is soft and pliable. It coils in and folds on itself. It can be used with downwind and is easy to sail on its own. It can be easily attached and rest in the on-deck position. It can be easily launched on the water, so you don’t have to return to shore for setting up. WindPaddles sails also ensure that, “If you can figure out a way to break it, we’ll fix it for free”!

What Makes This Kayak Sail Stand Out

Entry-level

Solo kayakers

Casual recreational use

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MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Product Dimensions: 16 x 16 x 2 inchesWeight: 14.4 ounces

3

BEST VALUE

Durable Kayak Wind Sail by Dyna-Living

This is a premium quality kayak sail. It is made of strong polyester taffeta with triple stitched seams. The frame is made of a virtually unbreakable material. It is specifically designed for use in kayaks and is easy to compact, setup, and deploy. You can clip it into the upright position to catch the wind and simply lay it down to stop. It is easy to store and will also provide you protection from the sun on the water. It also comes with its own storage bag.

What Makes This Kayak Sail Stand Out

Virtually unbreakable

Easy to setup

Provides protection from sun

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MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Weight: 12 ounces

4

Rapid Up Sail by Advanced Elements

This is a universal sail design that can be setup to harness the power of the wind. It is compact and portable. It folds down into an 18-inch disk that can be easily stored inside the kayak. It is made of a durable rip-stop sail cloth and has three windows for visibility and safety. An internal spring frame makes it quick to setup. It is handheld operated.

What Makes This Kayak Sail Stand Out

Compact

Durable

Three windows in design

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MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Weight: 2 pounds

5

QuikSail Kayak Sail by Sea Eagle

This is a 14 square foot Neil pride sail. It has a strong aluminum frame that can turn any kayak into a sailing vessel. It is easy and fast to deploy. It breaks down in size for convenient storage in the bow or stern. It is a downwind sail that can be steered using your paddle as a rudder. It functions with all Sea Eagle kayaks and comes with a nylon carry bag. Kayak sail reviews say it’s a “very good product” and made of “sturdy materials”.

What Makes This Kayak Sail Stand Out

Strong aluminum frame

Easy storage

Downwind sail

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MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Product Dimensions: 43 x 3 x 36 inchesWeight: 2.01 pounds

How To Choose A Kayak Sail – Buying Guide

When you want to prepare for a kayak adventure, it is important to determine what type of kayaking you want to do, whether you want calm or rough waters. If you are looking for a kayak sail, you will likely be using it to glide across calm waters.

A top rated kayak sail kit will easily attach to your kayak and help you move with the breeze. There are a lot of different features to each sail for kayak designs, so you should determine what you want or need before making a purchase. It is important for your kayaking safety that you spend the time to invest in the best kayak sail kit.

Type

There are a few different types of kayak sails. You can find circle shape sails, V-shaped sails, and tall L-shaped sails.

Circle shape sails: These are the most popular sail for kayak designs. These are targeted for people who want to learn how to kayak or beginner kayakers. These are easy to install and can turn any kayak into a sailing kayak. They are normally attached with three clamps and can only be positioned in one direction.

V-shaped sails: These kayak sails are best with larger kayaks. The large size, with the wide V-shaped end at the top, makes it easy for wind to tip over small kayaks. This kayak sail is the best for cruising downwind and can normally only go in one direction.

Tall L-shaped sails: These kayak sails are best left to the professionals. Once you have experience with circle shape sails and V-shaped sails, you can graduate to using a tall L-shaped sail. These types of sails are the highest maintenance and you may need to adjust your kayak to suit the sail.

Material

There are a variety of materials that a sail for kayak can be made of. However, different materials can determine how durable your kayak sail is and how long it will last. As well, the type of material can determine how heavy your sail is. Three common types of materials used for ocean kayak sailing are plastic, cloth, and carbon fiber.

Plastic: Plastic is perhaps the most common material used and will be frequently used for circle shape sails. Plastic is durable, lightweight, and can resist water damage, but it may not last as long as other materials. It is affordable and a great budget option for a top rated kayak sail kit.

Cloth: Cloth is another favored material used in kayak sailing. Cloth can be durable, but its major drawback is that it is heavy and even heavier when wet. You may want a water treated cloth if you plan to be cruising in the rain.

Carbon Fiber: This is the best kayak sail material that you can invest in. It is an extremely durable and lightweight material that is very strong and resistant to damage. This material is long lasting and can take some wear and tear without breaking.

Width

The width of your sail, or kayak with sail, will determine how well it catches the wind. The wider the material means the more surface area you have for the wind to catch on. You want your sail to be wide enough that you can catch the breeze to cruise along, but not too wide and large that it becomes a danger.

You will have to find the right medium between widths, which will likely be dependent on the type of kayak you are using. You wouldn’t want the wind to be able to carry your kayak out of your control or make it unsafe to use. The best kayak sail will be wide enough to safety carry you along.

Rocker

The rocker is the degree of the curvature of the hull from a kayak’s bow to stern. You want to have a sailing kayak with a little rocker, but not too much. The rocker can improve maneuverability, but too much can lead to off tracking. You will need to find a balance that gives you a mix of maneuverability and stability.

Keel Strip

A keel strip is often an adhesive strip that can be added as a layer of protection to your kayak in areas that are at risk for abrasions. If you kayak does not have a keel strip, you will want to add one. Along with protection from abrasions, keel strips can actually help in the stability of your kayak.

Rudder

A rudder blade is a kayak accessory that you can add to your kayak to use for steering. When you use a kayak sail, you shouldn’t have to use your paddle frequently. This means that as you are cruising along, you need something to guide your direction. A rudder blade acts as your kayaks guidance system.

It can be easily added to the back of your kayak and will have you steering left and right with ease. Beginners may not need a rudder, but if you enjoy kayak sailing, you will want to invest in a rudder.

FAQs

Q: Why use a kayak sail?

A: Kayaking is a great exercise that gets you active on the water. There are a lot of health benefits of kayaking, but you may want to take a break and just cruise. A kayak sail gives you the benefits of speed, convenience, and fun. By using wind power, you can take a break or pick up speed without tiring your muscles. A short kayaking trip can turn into an all-day long adventure, when you conserve energy using a kayak sail.

It is also more convenient for your body to not always be using energy. A kayak with sail allows you to take breaks and rest if your muscles are tired. It is also just fun to use a new accessory and use your kayak in a new way.

Q: Are kayak sails safe?

A: Yes. However, the best way to ensure that your kayak sail is safe, you should be certain that you are using the correct sail for your kayak and skill. You will also want to ensure that your kayak sail is installed properly using the provided user’s manual or instructions. You should also be certain to still follow all the tips for kayak safety.

For your safety, it is best that you know the area where you are kayaking, know the weather conditions for the day, know all of your equipment, and know your own limitations. Kayak sailing is safe, but these steps can help ensure that you aren’t in danger and having a good time. If you are ocean kayak sailing, be especially aware of the condition of the waves and water. Too large of waves or rough water can lead to dangerous situations.

Q: What are the advantages of using a kayak sail?

A: As we mentioned, the major benefit to using a kayak sail is preserving your energy. Most kayakers can only kayak for a few hours if they are constantly paddling, at most. However, by using a kayak sail you can save energy by cruising with the wind. This means that you could stay out all day on the water, if weather conditions allow.

Globo Surf Overview

There are a variety of muscles used in kayaking, but with a top rated kayak sail kit you can let them rest between sets of paddling. Along with giving you the benefit of conversing energy, sailing kayaks is fun! With a kayaking sail you can avoid kayaking aches and pains, as well as spend more time out on the water! If you know exactly what you need or want, you can save time and money by investing in the bet kayak sail for your adventure!

Do you own one of the kayak sails that made it onto our list? Let us know how it has worked for your kayaking needs in the comments section below!

My name is David Hamburg. I am an avid water sports fan who enjoys paddle boarding, surfing, scuba diving, and kite surfing. Anything with a board or chance I can get in the water I love! I am such a big fan I decided to start this website to review all my favorite products and some others. Hope you enjoy!